Jean Davidson News

Since early 2025, the Kennedy Center has faced major upheaval following the Trump administration’s takeover—here’s a timeline of key developments leading to its planned two-year shutdown.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has appointed Jean Davidson as Executive Director and CEO of The Wallis. The Wallis, located in Beverly Hills, one of region’s leading performing arts presenters, is now in its 13th year.  

National Symphony Orchestra executive director Jean Davidson will step down from the Kennedy Center after less than three years, citing ongoing turmoil at the arts institution.

Penguin Rep Theatre is presenting the Off-Broadway premiere of Gene & Gilda, a new play by Cary Gitter, directed by Joe Brancato. See photos from opening night here!

Penguin Rep Theatre and Shadowland Stages present Ken Ludwig's DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE at 59E59 Theaters, directed by Stephen Nachamie. The production stars Alexandra Fortin and Michael Liebhauser. The company met the press this week. Check out our photos from the event. 

The National Symphony Orchestra has unveiled its 2024–2025 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Music Director Gianandrea Noseda will lead the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) on its European tour. See tour dates and learn how to purchase tickets.

National Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Jean Davidson and the Kennedy Center have announced Eric B. Stillman as the Chief Development Officer for the NSO. Stillman began on May 1, 2023 and comes to the Kennedy Center from the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

The National Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2023–2024 season led by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda and incoming Executive Director Jean Davidson.

Celebrating its 33rd year and returning to an in-person celebration, the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s annual High School Choir Festival (HSCF), led by Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director Grant Gershon, will take place at The Music Center’s Grand Park, Friday, April 29, 2022, at 11 a.m. Bringing together 500 high school students from 18 schools, the Festival will feature music from Sam Cooke and Sara Bareilles, to Reena Esmail and Handel. Sixteen singers from the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by Associate Artistic Director Jenny Wong, will also perform.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale, led by Grant Gershon, Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director, announced its 2022-23 season during GALA 2022, held on March 23, 2022, at Walt Disney Concert Hall in celebration of Gershon’s 20th anniversary season.

 The Los Angeles Master Chorale, the country’s preeminent professional choir, will honor Grant Gershon, Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director, in celebration of his 20th anniversary season, at GALA 2022, on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale, led by Grant Gershon, Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director, today announced its 2021-22 season and long-awaited return to Walt Disney Concert Hall, following the venue’s closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale, led by Grant Gershon, Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director, will receive a $1,500,000 grant from the L.A. Arts Recovery Fund, which was created recently to support Los Angeles based arts organizations with budgets under $10 million affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This special online experience will be hosted by Broadway legend Patti LuPone.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra teams up with New York City's Kaufman Music Center to present a special digital performance featuring the world premieres of eight works by the 2019-20 Fellows in the KMC's Luna Composition Lab program, including three participants in Luna Lab Meets LACO initiated last season.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale, led by Grant Gershon, Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director, today announced fall 2020 digital events: the music video premiere of Swan Family Artist-in-Residence Reena Esmail's 'TaReKiTa,' and Holiday Karaoke, a full-length livestreamed sing-along event featuring holiday favorites led by Grant Gershon and Associate Artistic Director Jenny Wong, and special guests. 

The Los Angeles Master Chorale announced today that it will postpone the originally scheduled 2020-21 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall to the 2021-22 season due to the pandemic.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale announced today that it would compensate singers for lost wages resulting from 2019-20 season concerts canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 The Los Angeles Master Chorale has created two new digital seriesa?"Sundays at Seven and Offstagea?"to share the beautiful and inspiring power of choral music with virtual audiences as Angelenos continue to observe stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring both music and conversation, each of the series offers a welcome opportunity to connect through music during this unprecedented period of self-isolation.